Week 4 Free Agent Focus


Ryan Fitzpatrick, QB, Dolphins

Blind-bid recommendation: 2-5%

He’s strung together 2 straight strong outings vs. the Bills and Jaguars, totaling 488 yards and 4 TDs through the air, plus 50 yards and a score on the ground. Fitz will be a Week 4 spot-start option at home for a Seahawks pass defense that’s been getting torched.


Myles Gaskin, RB, Dolphins

Blind-bid recommendation: 30-40%

If you still weren’t convinced that Gaskin is Miami’s lead back, Thursday night should have put any doubts to bed. He played 46 snaps and racked up a whopping 27 touches vs. Jacksonville, while RBs Jordan Howard and Matt Breida combined for 15 snaps and 6 touches. Gaskin turned that work into 95 scoreless yards. If this type of usage continues, he’ll be in consideration to start every week the rest of the way.

Carlos Hyde, RB, Seahawks

Blind-bid recommendation: 15-20%

Hyde figures to step in as Seattle’s lead back if Chris Carson’s knee injury costs him time. Hyde ran for 1,070 yards on 4.4 yards per carry in Houston last year, so he’s certainly capable. And the next 2 weeks bring plus matchups vs. the Dolphins and Vikings.


Jeff Wilson, RB, 49ers

Blind-bid recommendation: 12-15%

Jerick McKinnon led the way with 14 carries and 4 targets against the Giants — but Wilson carried 12 times and saw 3 targets. He turned that into 69 total yards and 2 TDs. Wilson will be a viable fantasy play for as long as Raheem Mostert and Tevin Coleman remain out. Coleman is out at least 2 more weeks; Mostert’s status is uncertain.


Damien Harris, RB, Patriots

Blind-bid recommendation: 5-10%

He’s eligible to be activated from IR this week after undergoing pinky surgery at the beginning of September. Harris had a great camp before that and seemed set to open the season as New England’s lead back. We’ll see what kind of role he’s returning to — especially after Rex Burkhead and Sony Michel’s big Week 3s. But Harris is worth grabbing now if you have room.


Rex Burkhead, RB, Patriots

Blind-bid recommendation: 5-7%

Burkhead was featured in Sunday’s game vs. the Raiders, with RB James White still out. He carried 6 times for 49 yards and 2 TDs, while hauling in 7 of 10 targets for 49 yards and another score. We’ve seen flashes like this from Burkhead before, but it’s rarely been sustained. So don’t overpay on the waiver wire this week.


Allen Lazard, WR, Packers

Blind-bid recommendation: 20-25%

Lazard hit Week 3 rostered in just 36.3% of ESPN leagues. Expect that to rise past 50% after his big Sunday night.

Davante Adams' absence left targets available, but Lazard took advantage by working both short and deep. He and Aaron Rodgers connected for gains of 48 and 72 yards, as well as a 5-yard TD. For the game, Lazard led the Packers in targets (8), receptions (6) and yards (146). The TD marked his 2nd through 3 games.

Lazard looks like the #2 wideout for a resurgent Aaron Rodgers and a potential top-40 fantasy wideout for the season.

Brandon Aiyuk, WR, 49ers

Blind-bid recommendation: 15-25%

The rookie led San Francisco with 8 targets, 5 catches and 70 yards in Sunday's win. He also carried 3 times for 31 yards and a score. That all follows an impressive training camp before a hamstring injury sidelined him. A healthy Aiyuk looks capable of emerging as a weekly fantasy starter.

Justin Jefferson, WR, Vikings

Blind-bid recommendation: 10-15%

After totaling just 5 catches on 6 targets over the first 2 weeks, Jefferson exploded for a 9-175-1 line in Sunday’s 31-30 loss to the Titans. The big play was a 71-yard TD on a deep post in the 3rd quarter. It was an impressive performance, although Jefferson might be overvalued on your waiver wire this week. He remains the #2 WR in a run-heavy Vikings offense.


Tee Higgins, WR, Bengals

Blind-bid recommendation: 3-10%

Cincinnati made WR John Ross a healthy scratch Sunday against the Eagles, confirming before opening kickoff that Higgins is the new #3 WR. Then Higgins drew 9 targets to rank 2nd on the team -- behind only Tyler Boyd -- and grabbed both of Joe Burrow’s TD throws among his 5 catches for 40 yards. The rookie also led Bengals WRs in snap rate (79%) and air yards (150). A.J. Green’s slow start adds upside to Higgins, in case the oft-injured veteran remains unable to regain his old form.


Alshon Jeffery, WR, Eagles

Blind-bid recommendation: 3-8%

He returned to practice this past week after last December’s Lisfranc injury and should be ready to make his 2020 debut within the next few weeks. There’s plenty of opportunity for Jeffery to reclaim a big role, especially with Jalen Reagor, DeSean Jackson and Dallas Goedert all banged up. If you're looking for long-term upside over an immediate starting option, then Jeffery might be your best target on this list.


Greg Ward, WR, Eagles

Blind-bid recommendation: 3-5%

Already down WR Jalen Reagor, the Eagles lost WR DeSean Jackson (hamstring) and TE Dallas Goedert (ankle) against the Bengals on Sunday. Ward took advantage by leading the team in targets (11), catches (8) and receiving yards (72). He also snagged the team’s only TD reception of the game. Ward will always be a limited yardage producer, but he’s an option for PPR rosters at San Francisco in Week 4. QB Carson Wentz has topped 40 pass attempts in each game so far.


Scott Miller, WR, Bucs

Blind-bid recommendation: 3-5%

He’ll be a fantasy starter if Chris Godwin misses time with his hamstring injury. Miller led the Bucs with 83 yards on 3 catches in Sunday’s win over the Broncos. He’s averaging 16.7 yards per catch this season.


Mo Alie-Cox, TE, Colts

Blind-bid recommendation: 5-10%

Jack Doyle returned for Sunday’s game vs. the Jets but didn’t see a target. Alie-Cox, meanwhile, hauled in all 3 of his looks for 50 yards and a score. It looks like he’s here to stay as the Colts’ lead pass-catching TE.


Jimmy Graham, TE, Bears

Blind-bid recommendation: 3-4%

Graham scored his 2nd and 3rd TDs of the season in Sunday’s comeback win over the Falcons. More importantly, his 10 targets were 2nd most on the team. That followed a 1-catch Week 2 — but a 3-25-1 line on 7 targets in the opener.

Don’t expect consistency from Graham, but he might be worth grabbing if you’re hurting at TE.



Deep-League Options:


Nick Foles, QB, Bears

Blind-bid recommendation: 3-8%

Foles led the Bears to a comeback win after replacing Mitchell Trubisky midway through the 3rd quarter. Foles completed 16 of 29 passes for 188 yards and TDs to Jimmy Graham, Allen Robinson and Anthony Miller. Chicago will surely be sticking with Foles going forward, making him worth grabbing in all 2-QB leagues and deep 1-QB setups.


Cordarrelle Patterson, WR/RB, Bears

Blind-bid recommendation: 5-10%

Patterson has already tallied 15 carries and 4 catches through 3 games — and his role might grow now that RB Tarik Cohen is likely done for the season. Patterson carries more value in fantasy leagues that list him as a RB.


Brian Hill, RB, Falcons

Blind-bid recommendation: 5-10%

Even though Todd Gurley led the backfield in touches, Hill showed enough explosiveness that he could easily retain a similar change-of-pace role going forward. He took 9 carries for 58 yards and a score, adding another 22 yards on his lone reception.


Anthony McFarland, RB, Steelers

Blind-bid recommendation: 3-5%

McFarland flashed some juice in his debut, rushing 6 times for 42 yards against Houston. He still played fewer snaps (10) than James Conner (53) and Benny Snell (15). But we wouldn't be surprised if his role grows going forward. The rookie might be worth stashing in deeper leagues — especially in case of a James Conner injury.


Andy Isabella, WR, Cardinals

Blind-bid recommendation: 7-10%

Isabella capitalized on WR Christian Kirk missing Sunday’s game, catching all 4 of his targets for 47 yards and 2 TDs. That’s not a huge target count, obviously, but only DeAndre Hopkins (13) and KeeSean Johnson (7) beat him. It’s also worth noting that both of Isabella’s scores came in the red zone: from 13 and 4 yards out. Isabella was a 2nd-round pick just last season, so it’s reasonable to believe he could earn more playing time even after Kirk returns. And we’ll see how long Kirk’s groin injury keeps him sidelined.


Chase Claypool, WR, Steelers

Blind-bid recommendation: 3-8%

He didn't do much in the box score in Sunday's win over the Texans, catching just 1 of 4 targets for 24 yards. But Claypool drew a 29-yard pass interference penalty. And, most notably, he led Steelers WRs with a 76% snap rate. Diontae Johnson's concussion surely played a big part in that, but it at least looks like Claypool is the Johnson replacement. That'd make the rookie an intriguing Week 4 spot starter if Johnson isn't cleared.


Hunter Renfrow, WR, Raiders

Blind-bid recommendation: 3-4%

Renfrow racked up 6 catches on 9 targets for 84 yards and a score in Sunday’s loss to the Patriots. Renfrow could be busy again in Week 4 against a Bills defense that’s struggled against slot receivers — especially if WR Henry Ruggs remains out.